The progress and quality of students’ work is measured by a system of letter grades and grade percentages. Grades are based on the quality of work as shown by written tests, laboratory work, clinical rotations or externships, term papers, projects and other assignments as indicated on the course syllabus. As defined in the attendance policy, poor attendance may result in an “F” grade.
The grading scale, with equivalent percentages, is as follows:
| Grade | Percentages | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|
| A | 95 to 100 | 4.0 |
| A- | 90 to 94 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87 to 89 | 3.3 |
| B | 83 to 86 | 3.0 |
| B- | 80 to 82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 78* to 79 | 2.3 |
| C | 73 to 77 | 2.0 |
| C- | 70 to 72 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67 to 69 | 1.3 |
| D | 60 to 66 | 1.0 |
| F | 59 and below | 0.0 |
| P | Proficient in the course | N/A |
Other letter grades used by the College include:
| Grade | Description | Affects Credits Attempted | Affects GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU | Audit | No | No |
| I | Incomplete | No | No |
| W | Withdrawn | Yes | No |
| WF | Withdrawn Failing | Yes | Yes |
| TR | Transfer Credit | Yes | No |
| CR | Block Credit award to LPN students entering ADN program | Yes | No |
Often, for graduating students to be eligible to sit for state licensing or national examinations, some programs, or some courses within programs, may have specified course requirements that will apply to achieve a passing grade for the course and/or the designated minimum passing grade may be higher. Students who do not successfully complete the specified course requirements or who do not achieve the specified minimum passing grade for that course will have to retake and successfully pass that course. Please refer to the program and course syllabus for specific details.
Records of a student's progress are maintained by the College. Course grades are issued to students at the end of each grading period. Students may check on their cumulative academic progress by logging into the student portal. When no portal is available, students may get a copy from the Registrar. A student receives a copy of a final grade transcript when all graduation requirements have been completed.
The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is computed by multiplying the number of credits in each course by the grade points achieved in each and then dividing by the number of credit hours for all courses attempted. If a student repeats a failed course, the grade used in the CGPA calculation will be the highest grade earned in that course.
Some courses may have skills tests or clinical performance evaluations where a specific standard of performance is defined in the syllabus.
For the purposes of satisfactory academic progress and CGPA calculation:
- A course in which a student receives an “F” grade will be counted in credits attempted and it will be counted in the CGPA calculation.
- A course in which a student receives an “W” grade will be counted in credits attempted; it will not be counted in the CGPA calculation.
- A course in which a student receives a WF grade will be counted in credits attempted and it will be counted in the CGPA calculation.
- A course in which a student receives a “TR” grade will be counted in credits attempted and credits earned; it will NOT be counted in the CGPA calculation.
Nursing Students
For successful completion of nursing courses, a minimum test composite score of C+ 78% (total average of key graded assessments) is required for Anatomy and Physiology, College Mathematics, Fundamentals of Human Nutrition, General Biology, and Microbiology. The minimum grade of C- (70%) is required to pass the other general education courses (non-nursing) in the program curriculum.
Surgical Technology Students
In addition to meeting the standards set in the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, students must complete all concentration courses and prerequisite science courses with a minimum grade of “C+” to be considered passing. Any concentration course below a grade of C+ must be retaken. A student can attempt a concentration course for no more than two times. Any student who fails to pass a concentration course after two attempts is subject to dismissal from the program."
Radiologic Technology Students
A minimum grade of “C+” (78%) is required to pass all Radiologic Technology courses. A minimum grade of “A-” (90%) is required to pass all individual competency exams in the program. Students with a repeat failure in any of the Radiologic Technology courses will be dropped from the program.